Papua New Guinea takes seriously into account international standards such as ISO requirements in assessing manufacturers of drugs.Health Minister Michael Malabag said this in the hope of ending the medical kit supply contract saga.Mr Malabag said it was irritating when the same old arguments were used to mislead the people of PNG by those with vested interest.He was responding to the latest statement by the Transparency International (PNG) on awarding ther contract to Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals."The National Department of Health is satisfied that the technical evaluations are assessed thoroughly by technical experts and I am confident that they evaluated the bids based on technical specifications,’’ Mr Malabag said."The Health Department has a moral and legal responsibility and is serious in addressing the issue of safety, efficiency, good quality, affordability and rationale use of drugs for the citizens through the National Health Service Standards, National Medicines policy and the Medicines and Cosmetics Act and its Regulations."Our drug registration process regulates the registration of good quality and efficacious drugs in the country. We have pharmaceutical inspectors now appointed by the Pharmacy Board of PNG under the Medicines and Cosmetics Act to regularly inspect registered pharmaceutical establishments for compliance."As the gate-keeper of these medicines, we cannot and will not compromise this very important responsibility."Papua New Guineans must be assured that the Department of Health will test these medicines when they come into the country to make sure that they are not fake drugs as alleged."Where medicines do not meet our requirements, these medicines will be sent back and will be replaced, or contracts will be terminated."He said the contract was part of the reforms undertaken by the Health Department that was on-going and would continue this year.Mr Malabag said important guiding documents were reviewed and developed in 2013, including the National Medicines Policy."These documents outline expectations, standards to meet quality as well as operational guidelines to carefully guide implementation."He said reforms in medical supplies procurement had also seen the streamlining of the six area medical stores (AMS) to three and considerations were being made for the rehabilitation of the Rabaul AMS, which brings to a total of four regional AMS for the country."Under the reform plan, all provinces will now have provincial transit medical stores (PTMS). Building of the PTMS is 75 per cent complete and hopefully completed by the end of this year."Post Courier